November 28, 2012. Atlas Copco Geotechnical Drilling and Exploration has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the company Wuxi Drilling Tools Factory on Shanghai bauma China.

The agreement enables Atlas Copco to fill the gaps of GB standard products in the Chinese market, expand customer and market coverage and further promote the sales of Atlas Copco core drilling rigs and consumables.

“Despite theuncertain international market, the Chinese market has always maintained stable demands. So we have been actively looking for local partners and hope that we can complement each other and achieve a win-win situation in the Chinese market”, said Victor Tapia, President of Atlas Copco Geotechnical Drilling and Exploration Division. According to the agreement, Atlas Copco and Wuxi Drilling Tools Factory will have access to each others sales channels for mutual benefit. Both parties are also looking into potential joint participations in the deep-hole projects of the government and the universities. We will work together to promote the Atlas Copco brand, enhance customer relationships, and win more business opportunities for each other.

Different from Atlas Copco, who only produces DCDMA standard products, Wuxi Drilling Tools Factory manufactures tools mainly for Chinese customers that apply GB standards. Wuxi Drilling Tools Factory is a central enterprise under China Geo-Equipment Corporation (CGE). The factory owns strong research teams, state-of-the-art test equipment and first class production facilities. Its geological drilling tools, non-dig upsetting drill pipes and tools, tungsten carbide products, and impacter and casing tools enjoy very good reputation and high market share in the Chinese market. “CGE attaches great importance to the strategic industrial and R&D cooperation with leading enterprises.We hopeto get valuable experience and know-how in improving our technology and productivity, with Atlas Copco’s one hundred years’ of historical heritage.” said Mr. Guan Jian, Chairman of Board Meeting, China Geo-Equipment Corporation.

Atlas Copco Geotechnical Drilling and Exploration develops, manufactures, and markets equipment for exploration drilling and ground engineering. We are headquartered in Sweden and its production is organized in specialized competence centers in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Atlas Copco is one of the world leaders in surface core drilling rigs and for more than 100 years exploration professionals have depended on our ability to deliver excellent results in conditions of extreme heat, cold, drought, humidity, or high altitude. Atlas Copco launched the new Boyles series surface core drilling rigs in early November, and we will introduce it to the international market at bauma China.

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Atlas Copco is an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. With innovative products and services, Atlas Copco delivers solutions for sustainable productivity. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 170 countries. In 2011, Atlas Copco had 37500 employees and revenues of BSEK 81 (BEUR 9).

Atlas Copco’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area provides equipment for drilling and rock excavation, a complete range of related consumables and service through a global network. The business area innovates for sustainable productivity in surface and underground mining, infrastructure, civil works, well drilling and geotechnical applications. Principal product development and manufacturing units are located in Sweden, the United States, Canada, China and India.

Atlas Copco Geotechnical Drilling and Exploration is a division within Atlas Copco’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area. It develops, manufactures, and markets equipment for exploration drilling and ground engineering. The division is headquartered in Märsta, Sweden, and its production is organized in specialized competence centers in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.